Electrical cross-bar switch having sensing means in close proximity to the cross points of the switch



Oct. 15, 1968 ELECTRICAL CROSS-BAR SWITCH HAVING SENSING MEANS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CROSS POINTS OF THE SWITCH Filed Feb. 2, 1965 B. E. SHLESINGER, JR, ETAL 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS' Bernard E dwardSh/ewhger, J1:

George A. Arkwr/yhf ATTORNEKS 1968 s. E. SHLESINGER, JR. ETAL 3,406,377

ELECTRICAL CROSS-BAR SWITCH HAVING SENSING MEANS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CROSS POINTS OF THE SWITCH Filed Feb. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Bernard Edward ShIes/nger, Jr:

George A. Arkwrighf ATTORNEYS United States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cross-bar switch having two transversely disposed sets of parallel spaced conductors that form a grid, where the cross points define a plurality of sensing zones. A current responsive radiative element for each conductor in a given sensing zone is disposed in close proximity to a sensitive element, which gives an output signal when current flows through both of the current responsive radiative elements in the corresponding zone.

Summary of invention This invention relates to cross-bar switching mechanisms and particularly those which are responsive to an electrical impulse or electrical current.

In the past, cross-bar switching has been done primarily by mechanical means which is relatively slow and requires rather complex equipment.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a cross-bar switching mechanism which requires few if any moving parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a crossbar switch mechanism which is extremely fast and reliable.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a cross-bar switch which can be manufactured from inexpensive materials readily available on the market.

Another object of this invention is to provide a crossbar switching mechanism which has great flexibility for use in telemetering, telephony, telegraphy, and in general in any programming or communications system.

These and other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

This invention specifically utilizes the combined intensity of two electrical currents at the zone where the currents intersect one another. The electrical currents are carried by electrical conductors forming a matrix or grid system.

At the points of intersection, of the matrix or grid there is positioned a sensing or responsive element which will be aliected only by the combined electrical flow in two crossed conductors at their point or zone or intersection. The sensing mechanism is in turn connected to an electrical component so as to open a circuit, close a circuit, operate an electrical system, or operate another component, or the like. Specifically, one mode of the invention would be to have crossed resistance wires. At the area of intersection of the wires, a greater heat intensity occurs when the two wires are both excited simultaneously. A further mode of the invention would be to have crossed capacitor plates. The sehsing element would operate to sense a capacitance equal to or approximating the combined capacitance of the two conductor plates. Another mode of this invention would be to have crossed inductances serving as primary sources with the sensing element as a secondary inductance. Still another mode of the invention would be to have the crossed conductors having at their intersection super imposed coils for operating the core of a solenoid. It is obvious that the various sensing elements such as the sole- 7 atent O 3,406,377 Patented Oct. 15, 1968 noid core, the secondary coils, and the like would be utilized to operate various switching or electrical components or circuits.

In the drawings which illustrate the various embodiments of this invention:

FIGURE 1 is a plane view illustrating a push button panel wired to a grid panel board as taught by the invention.

FIGURE 2. is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the use of resistance wires with a thermistor sensing device.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 33 and viewed in the direction of the arrows of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view illustrating in phantom lines another embodiment of this invention utilizes printed condenser plates in matrix relation.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the lines 55 and viewed in the direction of the arrows in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the lines 66 and viewed in the direction of the arrows in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a circuit wire diagram of a type generally contemplated by this invention.

FIGURE 8 illustrates another circuit wire diagram of a type generally contemplated by this invention and show ing one capacitor.

FIGURES 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing a further embodiment of this invention including means for making the sensor inoperative.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view illustrating a panel for insertion into the panel board in order to make cer tain sensors inoperative.

FIGURE 12 is a circuit diagram illustrating a further modification of this invention including means for varying the capacitor plate value.

FIGURE 13 is still a further modification of this invention illustrating a circuit diagram for solenoid type operation. I

FIGURE 14 is still a further modification of this inven: tion showing a circuit diagram including primary and secondary windings.

FIGURE 1 For the purposes of simplification and understanding, FIGURE 1 in general illustrates the manner in which crossed conductors are operated in order to start a chain of events which wind up in the operation of an electrical component or circuit. Initially, a push-button may be used to close the switch or a card inserted into a cardreader to do likewise. Once the switch has been closed, an electric current will flow through the conductor to be sensed by a sensor under certain conditions. The sensor may be a thermistor, capacitor plate, secondary winding, solenoid core, or the like. When crossed conductors carry an electrical current, and when the sensor is so constructed as to be made operable or inoperable as desired, by the combined etfects of the crossed conductors at their zone of intersection, a circuit, component, or the like electrically connected to the sensor, will be operated or effected as the case may be.

FIGURE 1 shows push buttons A, B, C, D and 1, 2, 3 and 4. The push buttons A, B, C, and D are connected by leads E, F, G, and H respectively to conductors I, J, K, and L in a panel board Y, which are disposed in parallel spaced relation to each other. Push buttons 1, 2, 3, and 4 are respectively connected by leads 5, 6, 7, and 8 to a plurality of spaced parallel conductors 9, 10, 11, and 12 which are disposed in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane containing conductors I, J, K, and L to form a matrix. The conductors form at the areas in which they cross each other zones of intersection.

FIGURES 2 to 6 inclusive and FIGURES 9 and 10 show typical zone configurations in section which can be used in the panel board. Usually a particular configuration would be used in the panel board for all zones.

In FIGURES 2 and 3 a heat responsive arrangement is shown for a zone, the illustration being given for the zone Z in FIGURE 1.

A bore is cut through the panel board to house the elements of the zone. Heat resistive elements 22 and 24 are respectively connected in circuit with panel board conductors I and 9, and occupy the hollow cavity 26 formed between a cover plate 28 and a heat sensitive thermocouple 30.

In operation, when button A is depressed, the circuit is completed through wire E and panel board conductor I to resistive element 22 which thereupon heats up because of the current passing therethrough. The heat produced by resistive element 22 heats up the hollow cavity 26 to a given level determined by the current and the rating of the resistive element. Similarly, when push button 1 is depressed sending current through lead 5 and conductor 9 to resistive heating element 24, additional heat is generated Within the hollow cavity 26 further raising the that can be used for the sensitive zones for the panel board Y shown in FIGURE 1. A plurality of superposed conductive members and 42 are mounted in a panel board Y.

FIGURE 5 shows a cross sectional view taken at one of the crossed zones of intersection along line 55 of FIGURE 4 and clearly illustrates a laminate construction showing the spaced conductive elements 40 and 42 positioned between a plurality of fiat insulative layers. The panel board Y is made up of four flat pieces of insulated material 44, 46, 48 and 50. The panel board construction forms part of a capacitive sensing member arrangement for each of the zones.

A plurality of parallel spaced conductor strips 40 are supported between insulative layer blocks 46 and 48. A second group of parallel spaced conductor strips running in a direction transverse to the first set of conductor strips 40 are then positioned between insulative layers 48 and 50.

A rectangular sensing plate 54 is supported between insulative plates 44 and 46 at each zone formed by the crossing of conductor strips 40 and 42, and has a lead 56 connected thereto which extends up through the top insulative layer 44 of the panel board Y.

FIGURE 7 shows the crossed arrangement of the conductive strips 40 and 42 in circuit with the push buttons of push button panel X of FIGURE 1, showing each of the push buttons which is in the normally open position. Switches 1, 2, 3, and 4 are connected to a positive potential generally indicated at B plus. Push buttons A, B, C, and D are connected to ground. Depression of push button 1, for example, will connect the first conductive strip 40 to the positive potential. Depression of switch A will connect the first transverse conductive strip 42 to ground. The potential at the zone Z, when these buttons are depressed, will then be the difference between the positive potential B and ground.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a circuit arrangement for the zone Z with the strips and the sensing member 54 as they are arranged with respect to each other in FIGURES 4 through 6. In this circuit sensing element 54 and the adjacent portion of conducting strip 42 form the two plates 4 of a capacitor which are connected in a common circuit. This arrangement could be used as part of either a capacitive or resonant circuit.

In FIGURES 4 through 6 an elongated narrow slot containing ,a barrier strip 62 is shown. This slot and its barrier strip are disposed in insulative plate 46 parallel to the lower conductor strip 42, when it isdesired to inactivate a givenset of zones. The barrier strip 62 is inserted in the elongated slot 60 to electrically isolate sensing member 54 and the lower conductor strip 42. It may be grounded, or connected to a high potential.

FIGURES 9. 10 AND 11 In FIGURE 9, the board Y is formed with a series of through slots such as 64 which form a passage for receipt of a blocking or insulating strip 66. The blocking strip 66 extends across an entire row of aligned zones, such as along the zones aligned with conductor I of FIGURE 1. The thermal including strip 66 may be withdrawn at any time, and if desired only a portion of the strip, may be inserted in the slot. This will permit certain zones to be blocked out of circuit if desired. The insulating strips 66 when interposed between the thermocouple and the heating elements of a zone prevents heat from reaching the thermocouple and thus activating a circuit as would be the case ordinarily.

FIGURE 10 shows a thermal sensing zone configuration where a thermal insulating card member 70 is used in the thermal sensitive zone configuration described in FIGURES 2 and 3. A wide channel passageway 72 extends across the entire panel board Y in a plane between the heating elements and the corresponding thermo-couples receive the thermal insulating card 70.

As shown in FIGURE 11, the panel board Y receives the insulating card member 70 in the channel passageway 72 and has a plurality of openings 74 which will register with those thermal sensing zones which are to be left in circuit. This arrangement makes it possible to produce various circuit arrangements by merely substituting different insulating cards having openings in different positions, the openings 74 being aligned with the zone to be kept in operation when the thermal insulating card member 70 is fully inserted within the panel board Y.

A push button switch 76 is positioned at the outside corner of the channel passageway 72 and adapted to' register with the opening 78 in the thermal insulating card 70 when it is fully inserted within the panel boardY. Switch 76 is connected in circuit with the power supply for the entire circuit so that there will not be any'power connection to the panel board Y' until the thermal insulating card 70 is fully inserted in correct position. A receptacle for system leads is shown at 78 on the side of panel board Y and is connected to switch 76. Plug holes 80 are disposed on two sides of panel board Y and are connected to the respective conductor members in the panel board Y.

FIGURE 12 shows a capacitive circuit using a multiple voltage connection to one of the capacitor plates. Circuit contains switches M, N, O in parallel which are connected to a positive potential B+ through conductors 92, 94, and 96 respectively. Resistors R are all of equal magnitude and provide an equal voltage drop between each of the leads. Lead 98 is connected in parallel with each of the switches at one end and to capacitive plate 100 at the other end. Capacitive plate 100 is mounted in a panel board, such as Y, as one of the conductivestrips.

A simple conductive circuit having a switch P supplies a voltage to plate which is mounted in a panel board as one of the crossed conductive strips. The capacitive plates 100 and 120 show the circuit arrangement for one zone of intersection in such a panel board, wherein a sensitive plate is placed 'therebetween and is connected in circuit with a capacitive sensing circuit not shown. Anyone of three different voltages can be applied to plate 100. The voltage on plate 100 will produce a potential with respect to plate 130, but this potential alone will not activate the capacitive sensing circuit to which plate 130 is connected. The capacitive sensing circuit will be activated only on receiving any one of three voltages which are slightly less than the voltages produced on plate 130 by the closing of any one of switches M, N, or O. Closing of switch P in circuit 110 will place a small voltage on plate 120. This small voltage will slightly change the voltage induced on plate 130 by the switches M, N or O, and will bring the potential on plate 130 within one of the three ranges to which the capacitive sensing circuit will react.

FIGURE 13 shows a circuit arrangement using a plurality of inductances in the panel board arrangement at the zones of intersection of the conductors. Conductor 140 having coils 142 in series therewith which form one conductive path for a conductive circuit connected to a push button switch is connected to a push button panel as shown in FIGURE 1. A transverse conductor 150 having coils 152 in series forms the second conductive path. Coils 142 and 152 overlap to form a double coil. This double coil is supported about an opening in the panel board, such as the bores 20 used for the thermal sensitive zones of intersection of FIGURE 2. Through this opening a movable core 160 of magnetically permeable material is positioned and supported so that it will move in response to voltage passing through both of the coils 42 and 52 simultaneously, but will not move in response to current passing through only one of these coils. The movable core 160 will directly open or close a switch device through its movement when current is supplied to both coils 142 and 150 through conductors 140 and 150.

In FIGURE 14 a circuit using a plurality of coils in a transformer arrangement is shown. A plurality of coils 170 are connected in series in circuit with a push button panel, forming one part of the grid network for the panel board, and a plurality of coils 180 are connected in series in circuit with a second push button switch, the connections to the switches not being shown. At a given zone a coil 170 and a corresponding coil 180 are arranged as the primary for a transformer T circuit having a secondary coil 190. When voltage is simultaneously passed through the primary coil consisting of both coil 170 and coil 180 sufiicient voltage is induced in secondary coil 190 to activate a sensitive circuit. Passage of current through only one of the coils forming the primary of transformer T will be insufiicient to activate the sensitive element.

Operation Referring to FIGURE 1, depression of push button A and push button 1 will send electric current through two conductors associated with zone Z and connected to the electrical sensitive elements therein. It will also be noted thatelectrical current is passed through the entire conductor I when push button A is depressed. However, there will be insufficient electrical energy in any of the remaining 'zones along the conductor I to activate their corresponding sensitive elements. At zone Z there will be the sum of the effects produced by current passing through conductor I and conductor 9. The sensitive elements are responsive only to the total effect produced by the elements at the intersection when both are connected in circuit.

The additional zones of intersection along conductor I will be activated upon depressing any of the corresponding push buttons 2, 3 or 4. It will be seen that if two parallel conductive elements such as I and K are activated, the depression of push button 1 to connect transverse conductor 9 to a supply voltage will atfect the two zones of intersection which are associated with conductor elements I and K and cross conductor element 9. This matrix operation for the zones of intersection will apply for the modifications of FIGURES 2, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The signal received from the activated zones will be transmitted to a circuit which will activate a switch or other 6 device, either directly or after the signal has beenamplified.

It is also possible to use a latching relay or similar device connected with the circuit which will maintain the circuit in activated condition even though the push buttons are released. This makes possible the holding of a circuit for a given time, or for holding of the signal until the two buttons activating the given zone of intersection are again depressed. With such an arrangement, it is possible to program a very complex interchange of circuit connections and disconnections for a given operation.

A programming of circuit connections of a complex pattern is also made possible by the use of the insulating card arrangement of FIGURES 10 and 11 where a preselected pattern of zones which are active and inactive can be selected for depression of several push buttons, or for all push buttons simultaneously.

The above modifications show an electrically sensitive matrix and cross bar system which is quickly responsive to condition, and permits a complex pattern of multiple circuit connections to be made through a simple panel board structure.

It is also possible to have the sensitive element responsive to three signals that will be produced from a zone e.g. by one or the other of the conductor elements or by the two conductor elements together as previously described. This additional sensitivity of the activated circuit will permit more complex switch patterns to be used.

While the invention has been described, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A cross bar switch comprising (a) a panel board,

(b) a first series of electrical conductive members positioned in said panel board in parallel spaced relation to each other,

(e) a second series of electrical conductive members positioned in said panel board in parallel spaced relation to each other and in crossed relation to said first series of members to form a matrix arrangement having spaced intersections,

(d) means for selectively supplying electricity to each of said electrical conductive members,

(e) said spaced intersections forming a series of sensing zones each having only one of said first series and only one of said second series of electrical conductive members therein,

(f) each of the conductors in said sensing zones having a current responsive radiative means which is activated by current passed through the conductor,

(g) a sensitive element associated with each of said sensing zones, responsive to the total combined effect produced by both said current radiative means in a corresponding sensing zone,

'(h) a series of electrical components,

(i) means connecting one of said electrical components to one of said sensitive elements,

(j) whereby said one electrical component will be affected when one of said sensitive elements respond to the effect of total combined current in its respective sensing zone upon current being supplied to said electrical conductive members in said zone simultaneously.

2. A cross bar switch as in claim 1 and wherein (a) said sensitive element in each zone is spaced a slight distance from its respective electrical conductive members.

3. A cross bar switch as in claim 2 and wherein (a) said sensitive element in each zone is positioned between its respective electrical conductive members.

4. A cross bar switch as in claim 1 and wherein,

(a) each of said sensing zones includes a pair of heating elements,

(b) one of said pair of heating elements in each zone comprising a portion of one of said first series of said electrical conductive members and the other of said pair in each zone comprising a portion of oneof said second series of electrical conductive members,

and t (c) said sensitive element in each of said sensing zones being heat responsive.

5. A cross bar switch as in claim 4 and wherein (a) said heating elements are electrical resistances.

6. A cross bar switch as in claim 5 and wherein (a) said sensitive elements are thermistors.

7. A cross bar switch as in claim 2 and wherein I (a) .said sensitive element in each zone is positioned'to one side of its respective electrical conductive members.

8. A cross bar switch as in claim 1 and including (a) shielding means associated with said panel for selectively making certain of said sensing elements inoperative.

9. A cross bar switch as in claim 8 and wherein (a) said shielding means includes a board slidable in said panel.

10. A cross bar switch as in claim 9 and wherein (a) said panel includes a slot, and

(b) said shielding board slidable in said slot.

11. A cross bar switch as in claim 8 and wherein (a) said shielding board includes openings therein for eliminating shielding in certain areas of said panel.

12. A cross bar switch as in claim 11 and wherein (a) panel board includes a circuit breaker, and

(b) said shielding board includes means for operating said circuit breaker when said shielding board is withdrawn from said panel board.

13. A cross bar switch as in claim 1 and wherein (a) each of said sensing zones includes a pair of capacitor plates,

(b) one of said pair of capacitor plates in each zone comprising a portion of one of said first series of said electrical conductive members and the other of said pair in each zone comprising a portion of one of said second series of electrical conductive members, and

(c) said sensitive element in each of said sensitive zones being a capacitor plate.

14. A cross bar switch as in claim 13 and wherein (a) said sensitive element is positioned between said pair of capacitor plates.

15. A cross bar switch as in claim 1 and including 16. A cross bar switch as in claim 15 and wherein (a) said replacing means includes an opening in said panel board,

(b) said sensitive element being slidably received in said opening. 1

17. "A cross bar, switch as in claim"-13-arid including (a) means for varying 'the' electricity supplied to at f least 'one'of saidfcapacitofplatesiandQwheri (b) the Qpiflatingvalue of said sensitive e ler'rieritcapacitorQplate is at all ammo greater =than the electricity supplied to said'one. capacitor plate.

18. A cross bar switch as in claim 1 and wherein (a) each of said sensing zones including a pair of inductances, 1

(b) one. of said-pair of inductances in each zo ne comprising a portion of one of said first series of said electrical conductive members and theother of said pair in each zone comprising a portion of oneof said second series of electrical conductive members,.and

(c) said sensitive element is an inductancemember.

. 19. A cross bar switch as in claim 18 and wherein (a) said inductances are inductance coils.

20. A cross bar switch as in claim 18 and wherein (a) said pair of inductances are primary coils, and

(b) said sensitive element is a secondary coil.

21. A cross bar switch as in claim 1 and wherein (a) each of said sensing zones includes a pair of inductance coils, V

,(b) one of said pairof inductance coils in each zone comprising a portion of one of said first seriesof said electrical conductive members and theother of said pair in each zone comprising a portion of one of said second series of electrical conductive members, and

(c) said sensitive element in each zone is a solenoid core.

22. A cross bar switch as in claim 21 and wherein (a) said pairsof inductance coils are wound in the same direction.

. 23. A cross bar switch as in claim 1 and including,

(a) means for varying the electricity supplied to at least one of said conductive members and wherein (b) the operating value of said sensitive element for said zone having said one conductive member being atall times -greater than theelectricity supplied to said one conductive member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DONALD 1. YUSKO, Primary Examiner. 

